Matchday Welcome: Rapids host Chivas USA

It’s a beautiful Saturday here at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, and it is my pleasure to welcome you for today’s Rapids match against Chivas USA, presented by Western Union. We’re glad you’ve decided to spend some of your Memorial Day weekend with us, and pleased that the weather has finally cooperated for one of our home matches!

Today’s game marks the first sellout crowd of 2013 (with extra seats added due to demand), and we want to thank you for your part in that. We’re hoping for more full houses to follow, with home matches on June 1 and June 15 before our double fireworks weekend, with games on Thursday, July 4 and Sunday, July 7. As we connect Memorial Day to the Fourth of July weekend, please join our fundraising effort for the Rocky Mountain USO by stopping by the USO booth at the top of Section 127 to donate $5 to the cause, and receive a voucher for a free 20 oz. Coca-Cola product in return.

Heading into today’s match, I want to give credit to Head Coach Oscar Pareja and the players for their recent performances. While dealing with many absences, we’ve picked up a point in seven of our last eight games, holding a record of 4-1-3, and both veterans and youngsters are contributing in a big way. It’s nice to see the team’s hard work rewarded, both in terms of the Rapids’ results, and seeing call-ups like Shane O’Neill and Dillon Serna joining the U.S. U-20 National Team with the FIFA Under-20 World Cup coming up soon.

We’re also marking a couple of beginnings as well. The Rapids Women start their season today, facing off against Colorado Rush on Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Field 20 at 4:00. If you miss today’s game, they’re playing here again on Friday, June 14 at 6:00 p.m. against the Seattle Sounders. Our first team is also starting their run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, visiting Orlando City SC on Tuesday. We’re excited for the quest to bring more hardware back to Colorado!

Once again, I’d like to thank you for coming out to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for today’s match, and also recognize Western Union for their support in presenting the game. Remember that you can visit Eighteen76 (formerly the Cantina) for a chance to meet the Man of the Match following the final whistle, and please don’t hesitate to contact Rapids Customer Service above Section 129. You can also find me on Twitter: @tkhinchey3.